Crudelia

Her distinctive smell, perfume and cigarette mixed together, announces her. There is no place left to hide. When she walks in the office, people avert their eyes and stare at their keyboards. They work humouring her mood swings; she picks her friends on a whim and is as quick in choosing her victims and enemies. When she calls you in her office, you never know whether you’ll be praised or criticized. You stand there, interlaced fingers and sweaty palms, unable to look her in the eyes. She takes her time, sizes you up while you are left wondering if the price you’re paying to learn from the best isn’t too steep. When you hold her gaze, she hints a smile, whispers a “well done”, and allows you to go back to work.